Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 5398, Andrew Ford, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Ford, Andrew
S 5398.
Carded.
CONTENTS

22.435
Ohio Pittsburgh
Andrew Ford
of Youngstown in the State of Ohio — who was a Private in the Co — commanded by Captain Hays of the Regt commanded by Col. Williams in the Mass — line for 8 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio Pits. at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of Nov. 1833 and sent to Pen- sioner — Unionville Pa. Adv.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 — 66.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 — 13.33 $ 80.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. G. Palmer Clerk, Book E Vol. Eight Page 111.

The State of Ohio Greauga County ss
On this 11 th day of September A.D. 1833 personally appeared in open court before the judges of the court of common pleas, now sitting, Andrew Ford a resident of Madison Township in the County of Greauga, aged eighty years on the 8 th of November last past, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7-1832
That he was born in the Town of Abington in the County of Plymouth Massachusetts on the 8 th day of November 1752 - That he entered the service of the United States, at the Town of Plainfield in the County of Hampshire in the State of Massachusetts where he then resided, in the month of April 1775 under the following named officers and served as herein stated - I entered the service as a volunteer, on the first alarm, for the term of eight months under the command of Capt. Thayer, the officers of the Lieutenant & Ensign have gone from my remembrance - but I recollect that Col. Fellows commanded the Regiment & Genl. Ward commanded that part of the American army near Boston, after a short stay at Cambridge, we were ordered over to Roxbury, I did camp duty there, and was one of the guard stationed on Dorchester heights on the day of Bunker Hill battle, I could see the burning of Charlestown on that day - After the Bunker Hill battle I still continued to do camp duty for the full period of eight months, the time for which I enlisted - at the end of the eight months, I was dismissed without any written discharge, and I returned home -
At the time of the battle at Bensington I volunteered, on receiving the alarm, but did not arrive until the battle had closed - I saw the Hessians prisoners paraded before the Meeting-house in Bensington, and was absent from home, at this time, but four days -
When the alarm came that Burgoyne was descending the

North River from Ticonderoga, I volunteered, with a number of others, without any officers to command us; and we marched as far as Stillwater, where we encamped with the regular army. The day after our arrival at Stillwater, I was among the number called to the alarm post on the flats towards Saratoga - The British army then lay at Saratoga  on the heights - The day of the battle between the two armies, I was on the alarm post expecting every moment to be called, but no orders came for me - a few days after the battle I returned home, after an absence from home of three weeks - I am not in the possession of the original record of my age, it remains in Massachusetts - After the War I resided at Plainfield aforesaid until 1823, when I removed into the Town of Savoy Berkshire Co. Mass. remained there up to 1827; in that year I removed into Madison in the County of Geauga & State of Ohio, where I now live -
I never recd. any written Discharge from the service, and have no documentary evidence, and know of no person in this region of country, whose testimony I can procure every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the roll of the agency of any state.
Andrew Ford Sworn to and subscribed, the day & year aforesaid in open Court, before me R. D. Aiken, Clerk.
We Caleb Burbanks, a Clergyman, residing in the Town-ship of Madison aforesaid, and Jason Olds residing in sd. Madison, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Andrew Ford who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty years of age; that he is respected & believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution; and that we concur in that opinion. Caleb Burbank Jason Olds Sworn, and subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open Court before me R. D. Aiken, Clerk.

And the S. Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above-named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states - And the Court further certify, that it appears to them that Caleb Burbanks, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, residing in Madison aforesaid, and that Jason Alds who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Madison, and a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit -
The State of Ohio } Luaga County, ss } I, D.D. Aiken, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Andrew Ford for a pension.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 11th day of September A.D. 1833 D.D. Aiken, Clerk.

mmnt aw
April 2, 1924
Honorable Frank J. McNulty House of Representatives
My dear Mr. McNulty:
In response to your letter of the 1st instant, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 5398 it appears that Andrew Ford was born November 8, 1752 in Abington, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
While a resident of Plainfield, Hampshire County, Massachusetts he enlisted in April 1775 and served eight months as a private in Captain Thayer's Company, Colonel Fellows' Massachusetts Regiment.
He went out on an alarm in August 1777 for four days and again in September 1777 for three weeks, no officers stated.
He moved to Savoy, Berkshire County, Massachusetts in 1823, and from there to Madison Township, Geauga County, Ohio where he was allowed pension on

his application executed September 11, 1833.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Sincerely,
Date of death not on A B
Commissioner.

27. 300 — 22.435.
Andrew Ford Ohio
Adm 8. Months
26. 66.
Claimant
Unionville
Geauga Co Ohio

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Cleveland, Ohio
May 10, 1924.
Com. of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
About a month ago I wrote for the military history of several ancestors who fought in the Rev. but have never received any reply. If there is no record of their having drawn a pension will you please let me know?
Ezra Holmes not as described
b. Salisbury, Conn. Mar. 4, 1764(?)
d. York, Livingston Co. N.Y. Jan. 18, 1846
m. in Salisbury, Nov. 10, 1791, to Grace Chittenden.
He was in the Revolution in 1776, also later.
Martin Wirt. (1760-1815)
Born in Germany - enlisted in Rev. at age of 15 as a teamster - present at battle of Brandywine. At close of war located in Reading, Pa. Had four daughters and three sons. Moved to Horseshoe Bottom, Fallowfield township, Pa. Moved in 1808 to Lake County, Ohio, to a town first called Chagrin, then Willoughby. Died there in 1815. Wife's name - Catherine Homan.
This information is family tradition so would like to verify it if he drew a pension.
(over)

Nathan Ford-
Connecticut militia-
Was drawing a pension May 30, 1833, at age of 73. Resident of Burton, Geauga Co. Ohio.
Andrew Ford-
Served in Mass. Drew a pension from Mar. 4, 1831. Was placed on roll Nov. 1, 1833, at age of 81. Resident of Burton, Geauga Co. Ohio.
yours truly
Mrs. Ruth Pierce
16900 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland
Ohio
Suite F.

FRANK J. McNULTY 8TH DIST. NEW JERSEY
MARY M. DEVANEY SECRETARY
Congress of the United States House of Representatives Washington, D. C.
April 1, 1924.
To the Honorable Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Honorable Sir:
Mr. Charles P. Ford, a personal friend of mine, is desireous of receiving the war record of his great grandfather, Andrew Ford , who was born in Abington, Massachusetts, and it is believ- ed enlisted in Cummington, Massachusetts.
Any information you can give me in regard to the above, will be greatly appreciated by me.
Very truly yours,
Frank J. McNulty
M.C.
FJMcN/W

Marshalltown Iowa
March 15 - 24
Pension Bureau Washington D.C.
I am writing concerning concerning the pension or discharge from Revolutionary War service of Andrew Ford who enlisted from Mass, & was at the battle of Bunker Hill. He was born at Abington Moss and enlisted, I believe from Moss Cummington. His wife was Maria Beal, they had five children viz. Elias, David, Eleazar, Andrew, Sarah, Elizabeth, Matilda and Jerusha. If possible would like to know the date of his birth & death, or information directing me where to find these dates.
Respectfully Yours
Mrs. M. M. Cook
10 N. 12 th St Marshalltown.
Iowa

1924-Apr-2-Hon. Frank J. McNulty, MMJF for Charles P. Ford - 1924-Apr-19-Hist. to Mrs. H. M. Block & Clark. MMJF 1924-June 10-Hist. to Mrs. Ruth Pierce. MMJF
Rehrman
5398 INVALID.
File No. 5398
Andrew Ferris Print Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 16 , Page 129
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Depot 20
Ohio
Unionville, O. Sep 14
Hon.
Free
Lewis Cass Secretary of War
Washington City

The answer to the enclosed application it is desirable that the answer should be dictated to the applicant at Unionville Geauga Co. Ohio —
8-4-91.